Feeler mechanism for looms



M. L. STONE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.30.1920. 1 ,378 ,91 3, Patented May 24, 1921. 2 SHEETSSHEET 1i I Az om M. L. STONE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION man JAN. 30, 1920.

1 ,378,9 1 3 Patented May 24, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 .l'nv-ent oru I Mm: 057%, 9 A

UNITED STATES MELVIN L. STONE, OF LAWRENCE. MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR To DRAPER CORPORA TION, 0F HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAI PATENT OFFICE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented May 24, 1921.

Application filed January 30, 1920. Serial No. 355,066.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MELyiN L. S'roxE, a citizen of the lfnited States, and resident of Lawrence, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is'

ment by the feeler mechanism. The amount will depend directly upon the feeler mechanism which should detect the apprmiching exhaustion of filling and set in operation mechanism for repleuislnnent only when the desired degree of exhaustion has been reached. 111 some types of fecler motions, the feeler which enters the shuttle to determine the condition of the filling. is mounted for movement longitudinally of the filling carrier or bobbin when the tilling is substantiallv exhausted on a detecting beat. This longitudinal movement of the feeler may be induced either by the frontward pressure of the surface of the bobbin against the feeler. or by some mechanical means. such as a spring connected to the feeler. Many disturbing factors present themselves in the use of such fceler mechanisms which of feeler mechanism where the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward pressure of the surface of the bobbin against the end of the feeler, there is a slipping action of the feeler along the surface of the bobbin, and such surface may not alwavs insure the desired slip.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists of a feeler mechanism wherein the feeler is given its movement longitudinally of the shuttle by a pr jection on the bobbin as the latter moves frontwardly on a detecting beat when filling is substantially exhausted.

In carrying this feature of the invention into practical effect the end portion of the feeler is inclined to the path of movement of the projection so that as the projection moves frontwardly along the inclined port on of the feeler, the latter responds to the side thrust upon it and effects replenishment of filling.

While a single feeler might be advanta geously employed in the described embodimentof the invention, its practical application is more advantageously observable in the use of two feelers associated so that the projection on the filling carrier mav act upon the ends of both feelers with a ivedging effect to separate them and thereby effect replenishment of filling when that in the shuttle has become Substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

\Vhere two feelers are associated as above described. it is desirable that the projection on the filling carrier or bobbin shall enter between the ends of the feelers to effect its wedging action on a detecting beat, and, inasmuch as the shuttle may not always be accurately positioned in the box to enter the projection between the ends of the feelers, the latter are mounted on a laterally yielding support so that they may automatically adjust themselves to the projection and permit its entrance between the ends of the feelers as the projection moves frontwardly on a detecting beat.

The above and other features of the invention and novel combinations of parts will be hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a good, practical form of the invention,

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the detecting side of the loom containing the present invention, some of the partsbeing omitted for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a detached perspective view of the feeler mechanism on an enlarged scale. some of the parts being broken away for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a Section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale showing the action of the feeler mechanism and the relation of associated parts when a working supply of filling is present on a detecting beat;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 4

but showing the relation of parts when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat; and

Fig. 6 is a section on substantially the line 6--6 of Fig. 2.

In describing the present invention it has not been deemed necessary to illust ate and discuss those known features of the loom construction with which feelers are ilSSOCl ated to perform their detecting function, whereby, upon detection of substantial exhaustion of filling a fresh supply of filling is transferred to the shuttle. The transferring mechanism is well understood and its known construction may be advantageously employed in connection with the present invention.

In the drawing the loom frame 1 has mounted thereon the transverse or rock shaft 2 from which rises the arm 3 having connected thereto the latch 4 the rear end portion of which is adapted to be engaged by an operating member 5 to rock the rock shaft and set in operation the transferring mechanism when the filling is to be changed. The operating member 5 may be any going part of the loom suited to the purpose, and in the present instance it is a hammer like member connected with the cam follower, a construction which is usual in this class of looms.

Extending from the side of the loom frame is the shipper stand 6 from which rises a bracket 7 having pivotally mounted thereon at 8 the transmitter 9. ne end of the transmitter 9, as at 10, is operatively connected or associated with the latch 4 to effect movement of the "end of the latch in the path of the operating member when fillin is to be replenished. The transmitter 9 has its other end portion 11 provided with the usual slotted cam member through which extends the end of the mounted at 13 and normally under the action of a spring 14.

Mounted on the loom frame or a bracket connected thereto is the feeler stand 15 havmg the slot 16 by which it may be adjustably secured in position. The feeler stand comprises the usual base piece and cap or covering. Mounted for reciprocating movement in the feeler stand is the feeler carrier or slide 17. The front end portion of the feeler carrier or slide 17 extends through a bearing 18 at the front. portion of the feeler stand and between such bearing and a shoulderor collar 19 formed on the feeler carrier or slide, is a spring 20 normally acting to hold the feeler member 17 in its rearward position.

Pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier or slide at 21 is the actuator 22 having its frontwardly extending actuating finger 23 pro vided with a notch 24 at its end to engage the end of the controller 12, when said end controller 12 pivotally 24 is placed in operative relation therewith or the path of movement of said end intersects the controller 12. Normally the actuating end 23 of the actuator is held in its raised position by means of a yielding member which, in the present instance, comprises a pin 25 extending through the feeler stand and normally under the influence of a spring 26 which bears upon the under side of the actuating finger 23 and maintains it in its upward position against the limiting stop 27, Fig. 6.

The parts thus far described are the same as similar parts in the well known Draper feeler, as shown and described in Patent No. 789.471, May 9, 1905.

Pivotally mounted upon the rear end portion of the feeler carrier or slide 11' is the laterally yielding feeler support 28. In the present instance the pivotal connection of the feeler support 28 and the feeler carrier or slide 17 is effected by a collared sleeve 29 and a cap screw 30, whereby the feeler support may be moved freely laterally in either direction. The feeler support 28 is normally under the influence of yielding means to hold it in central position relative to and in longitudinal extension of the feeler carrier or slide 17. and in the present instance such yielding means consists of the bow springs 31, one of which is secured at each side of the feeler carrier 17 as at 32 and bears at its rear end portion upon the bearing members 33 rising from the feeler support, the construction being such that while the feeler support 28 will be normally held yieldingly in its central position, as indicated in Figs. 1. and 4, it may be moved laterally in either direction.

The bearing members 33 on the feeler support are preferably formed as guide-ways for a slide member 34. The sliding member 34 has an upstanding rear portion 35 which bears upon the head 36 of a hunter or ad justable contact member 37 connected to the actuator. In the present instance, the adjustable member 37 is formed as a screw which passes through the arm 38 rising from the hub of the actuator,'and also through the actuator proper. and suitable set screws 39 serve to lock the member 37 in adjusted position, the construction being such that should the sliding member 34 be moved frontwardly. it will react through the head of the screw or adjusting member 37 and dopress the end 24 of the actuator into position to engage the controller 12 as the feeler carrier or slide 17 moves frontwardly.

The sliding member 34 is normally held in its rear position by a spring 40 interposed. between a lug 41 rising from the feeler support and a lug 42 rising from the sliding member 34. As a convenient construction for the purposes just stated, the sliding member 34 is formed with a slot .per end portions turned over, as at 44, or

any suitable means for guiding and retaining the sliding member in its relation with the feeler support might be employed.

The sliding member 34 is provided with a head at its rear end portion and has the converging or slanting side surfaces or in clines 45 which constitute inclines against which bear the front end portions 46 of the feelers 47 and 48, the construction being such that under normal conditions when the feelers are not otherwise disturbed, the

inclined surfaces 45 of the end of the slide 34 separate the front end portions 46 of the feelers under the influence of the spring 40 and maintain the front end portions of-the feelers against the limiting stops 49.

The feelers 47 and 48 are pivotally mounted upon the feeler support. Inthe present instance of the invention they are mounted upon the same pivotal axis, as indicated in Fig. 3. The feelers 47 and 48 have the overlapping portions 50 and 51 through which passes the pivot member 52 which may be conveniently threaded into the feeler support 28 as at 53, the construction being such that while the inclines 45 of the sliding member 34 will normally hold the feelers in the position indicated in Fig. 4. the feelers themselves may be turned upon their common axis to react upon the inclined surfaces 45 of the sliding member 34 to thereby position the actuator for effecting replenishment of filling, as hereinbefore described. v

The rearwardly projecting end portions of the feelers 47 and 48 have their adjacent edge portions 54 diverging rearwardly and their non-adjacent edge portions 55 converging rearwardly. In other words, the adjacent surfaces 54 of the feelers converge toward the pivotal axis so that a projection carried by the filling carrier or bobbin may enter between the ends of the rearwardly projecting portions of the feelers and wedge them apart when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

The lay 56 carries the usual shuttle box 57 for the reception of the shuttle 58 which has the bobbin holding jaws 59 for supporting the bobbin or filling carrier 60, as usual. The front Wall of the shutle box and the adjacent wall of the shuttle are provided with the usual openings for the entrance of the feeler on .a detecting beat. As hereinbefore pointed out the present invention contemplates wedging the rear end portions of the feelers apart by a projection formed on the filling carrier when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and such projection may be variously formed. In the present instance, however, a coil of wire 61 is secured to the filling carrier near the base end portions and the ends of the wire are conveniently secured to the filling carrier or bobbin at 62 to hold the coils or rings of wire in proper position on the carrier. These spirals or rings of wire may conveniently be formed as a continuous piece of wire, but the invention, of course. is not circumscribed by this detail.

\Vhen a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the rear end pointed portions 63 of the feelers engage the mass of filling and are held thereby from separation or movement longitudinally of the shuttle as the lay beats up. hen, however, the filling has become substantially exhausted and the rings or coils constituting the projection or projections become exposed, one of the coils will enter between the rearwardly diverging end portions 54 of the feeler members and force them apart with a wedging action on a detecting beat, thereby effecting replenishment of filling in a manner hereinbefore set forth.

Should. however, none of the rings or coils be in direct alinement centrally with the openlng between the diverging ends 5.4 of the feelers, one of the surfaces 55 of the feelers will engage the adjacent coil or ring on the filling carrier as the latter moves frontwardly and cause the laterally vieldable feeler support 18 to swing upon its pivotal connection with the feeler carrier or slide so that upon further frontward movement of the lay the feelers 47 and 48 will have their rearward end portions wedged apart, as indicated in Fig. 5, thereby effecting replenishment of filling notwithstanding the improper position of the shuttle in the box at the critical moment of filling exhaustion.

Claims:

1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a feeler support mounted on the feeler carrier for lateral movement relative thereto. two feelers pivotally mounted upon the feeler support, a projection carried by the shuttle to cooperate with the feelers, and yielding means acting to hold the feeler support in normal position and permit the feeler support to be moved laterally relative to its carrier by said projection.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a feeler carrier, two relacarrier and permit itto be moved laterally upon its carrier on a detecting beat by an unequal pressure upon the feelers to adjust the position of the feelers longitudinally of the shuttle.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two feelers mounted for movement in opposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement by engagement with the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, a shuttle having a bobbin provided with a plurality of coils one of which is adapted to enter between the rear end portions of the feelers and wedge them apart when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and a member positioned for effecting replenishment of filling when the rear ends of the feelers are separated.

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a feelcr support mounted on the feeler carrier for lateral movement relative thereto. two feelers pivotally mounted on the feeler support, and yielding means acting to hold the feeler support in normal position and permit lat cral movement of the feeler support relative to the feeler carrier.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two feelers having rearwardly diverging adjacent end faces, a shuttle, a bobbin mounted in the shuttle and having a projection constructed and arranged to enter between the diverging rear faces of the feelers and in wedging contact therewith when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat to effect a positive separation of the feelers, and means positioned by the feelers for effecting replenishment of filling.

G. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a filling carrier or bobbin having between its base and tip'a series of rings or coils, two feelers between which one of the rings or coils is adapted to pass when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat for wedging the feelers apart.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two feelers mounted for movement in opposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement on a detecting beat by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, means carried by the lay for entering between the rear ends of the feelers and wedging them apart when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and a support for the feelers that is laterally yieldable to permit the rear ends of the feelers and the \vedging means to be properly engaged.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two feelers mounted for movement in o)posite directions longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement on a detecting, beat by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof. a shuttle. a bobbin carried by the shuttle and provided with a series of rings, one of which is adapted to enter between the rear ends of the feele s and separate them when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and a support for the feelers that is laterally yieldable.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, two feelers mounted on the feeler carrier for relative movement longitudinally of the shuttle and each having a beveled rear end portion forming a face inclined to the lay movement and which terminates in a penetrating point, and means movable with the lay for engaging between the beveled rear end portions or faces of the feelers to effect relative moveinent'thereof longitudinally of the. shuttle when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of the lay, a shuttle, a bobbin therein having rings or coils normally covered by filling, a feeler mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and having an inclined surface. adjacent its rear end positioned to engage one of said rings or coils and be moved thereby longitudinally of the shuttle when substantial exhaustion of filling occurs, and means positioned by the feeler when moved laterally by the pro je'ction for effecting replenislnnent of filling.

11. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, two feelers, a support for the feelers pivotally connected to the feeler carrier, spring means acting to maintain the feeler support in normal position and yielding to permit lateral move ment of the feeler support, a shuttle, a bobbin carried by the shuttle and having a series of rings to act upon the rear ends of the feelers and position them for the entrance of a ring between the rear ends when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat. I

12. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two feelers pivotally mounted on a common axis to swing in opposite directions and each having a wedge-like rear engaging end, forming between them rearwardly diverging faces and a filling carrier having a projection for engaging between diverging surfaces of the wedge-like rear ends when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat and acting to force the feelers apart to effect replenishment of filling.

13. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, an actuator mounted on the feeler carrier, yielding means for normally holding it in one osition, two feelers, a slide having oppositely inclined rear surfaces bearing upon the feelers and a projection adapted to move the actuator into another position, a feeler support pivotally connected to the feeler carrier and carrying the feelers and theslide, and means for Wedging the feeler members apart on a detecting beat when the filling is substantially exhausted le Ina feeler motion for looms, a filling carrier or bobbin having between its base 10 In testimony whereof I have signed my 15 name to this specification.

MELVIN L, STONE. 

